WELSH expats were last night urged to help bail out the National Eisteddfod, about to miss its target of raising #300,000 by the end of October.

A worldwide plea is going out to Welsh societies, calling on them to help the country's major cultural event in its hour of need.

Last night the appeal stands at #120,000. It was set up to stave off the massive debt, which followed August's Newport eisteddfod.

Organisers were aiming to raise #300,000 by this month, to ensure the festival's bills are paid on time.

Donations have come in from around the UK, with Conwy and Denbighshire businesses the latest to get letters asking for help.

The international appeal for donations is in the latest edition of Yr Enfys, the official journal of Wales International (Undeb Cymru a'r Byd), read by 3,000 expats.

The aim, said Wales International secretary J Bryan Jones, is to give people outside Wales the opportunity to support the National Eisteddfod.

He said: "There are strong Welsh societies in various parts of England, plus, of course, as far afield as America, Canada and Australia.

"Our hope is that some people who belong to those societies will send donations."

Stressing the National Eisteddfod is facing its greatest financial crisis ever, the article says: "Seriously strapped for cash, there has been talk of job losses and serious cutbacks at next year's event on the Faenol parkland between Caernarfon and Bangor.

"Some are fearful the very nature of the annual festival to celebrate all things Welsh is threatened despite assurances the all-Welsh nature of the festival will not be eroded.

"It may be said that money does not solve every problem, but at the moment it seems that money is the only thing that can get the National Eisteddfod out of its present crisis."

"This is the worst crisis that the 124-year-old festival has ever faced, " said Mr Chapman, of Deganwy.

The Mercedes-Benz of North Wales deal-ership has already sent #200.

Dr Elfed-Owens, part of the Eisteddfod Council and its new board of trustees, said "Although the National Eisteddfod is a unique celebration of Wales and its culture, it is an annual event which is open to all, not just Welsh speakers."

Tourist chief Esther Roberts said: "Al-though the Eisteddfod is mainly a cultural event, it has become a fundamental part of what Wales has to offer to its visitors, and so makes a major contribution to our tour-ist trade."

Welsh language and culture minister Alun Pugh, in Patagonia for the region's Eisteddfod, is expected to reveal his decision later this week over the festival's call for increased funding from the National Assembly.

* Donations can be sent to the National Eisteddfod office at 40 Parc Ty Glas, Llanisien, Cardiff, CF14 5WU.